“Kayla, I know that things haven’t been easy and how much things changed. Do you
remember when I told you I would always be here to remind you of who you are whenever
things get crazy?”
She nods.
“This is not who you are… not anymore. You are meant for much more… so much good…
I was being selfish every time I asked you to let me take you away. The way you protect
the fallen—the forsaken—they need you to lead them.”
“What about you?” she asks nervously.
I grin at her. “I just need you to be alive and happy.”
“But you don’t want that life. You never did.”
I shake my head. “I don’t care if we end up in heaven, the Otherworld, or even in
Hell, what I want is a life with you.”
I interrupt her before she can say anything else. I get up and hold her hand helping
her up.
“About my other promise,” I say as I get on one knee in front of her and bring out
the ring. “You know… the one that was to remain unspoken.”
I wink at her and she laughs.
“Will you marry me?”
Her smile grows wider.
“Yes.”
I put the ring on her finger and stay down on my knee.
“Well, shouldn’t you get up and kiss me or something?”
“…or something,” I laugh, knowing that what I’m about to do feels right.
“I need you to know that I promise to continue being your protector, not just in this
world, but anywhere you choose to be, and…” I take a deep breath and reach over where
she left her dagger. I grab the handle and still on my knees, I offer her the dagger
like I offered her the ring, “We both know where you—where WE need to be. This is
who you are, Kayla. You are a nephilim.”
KAYLA
I lay by the lake with my head on Hunter’s lap and we watch the sun set, as he plays
with my hair. Things got a lot quieter after the Forsaken transitioned into the role
of protecting the haunted.
Everything just fell into place after Hunter and I got married. We allowed Kelly
and Andrew to do everything they wanted to do for us, and in a way, that was our goodbye.
The ceremony gave them closure. At that moment, they truly realized that I was no
longer the sixteen-year-old little girl, but someone ready to be on her own.
The ceremony took place on the backyard where I grew up. It was a small wedding,
with only family, but I could sense fallen everywhere… Xavier, Clarissa, oh, and some
ghosts too, like Chase. That was the last day we saw Chase. We wonder whether he
moved on past the Otherworld and even if he was able to reincarnate, something that
was made possible again once the number of angels were restored. And now, the only
one who haunts my dreams is Samael, which is really not that bad.
From the moment we returned to the Academy, Xavier helped me leading the Forsaken
in the right direction. We never treated them with any less respect or honor as the
full-blooded angels. We never even stripped them of their abilities. Honestly, that
was what was wrong with this world. Some people just need a second chance. How someone
became a fallen because they loved someone else was still beyond me. It’s funny how
everyone says people should learn from their mistakes, but then not give them the
benefit of a doubt when they do so. Once the forsaken and fallen were given a chance
instead of just being punished, their recovery process improved, and things in my
family’s world were safer.
And then, there is the biggest reward of it all… when days like this come around,
days when Ethan and Jennifer get to bring Trent to see us, and we can enjoy our time
spent with him knowing that he is
safe.
Thank you to all loyal and enthusiastic readers for joining me in Kayla and Hunter’s
journey, even when Kayla was being a brat. *Laughs* I hope you enjoyed seeing her
‘grow up’ throughout the series as much as I did.
Please follow me on facebook, twitter, or any other social media for updates on future
projects related to the Academy of the Fallen series!
Also from Daniele Lanzarotta …
YOUNG ADULT
Imprinted Souls Series
Imprinted Souls
Bloodlust
Divine Ashes
Blood Bound
Shattered Souls
Academy of the Fallen Series
Wide Awake
Nephilim
Sins of the Fallen
Forsaken
NEW ADULT
A Mermaid’s Curse
Insatiable
Fated (coming soon)
DANIELE LANZAROTTA
is the author of fantasy/paranormal novels, including Imprinted Souls Series, Academy
of the Fallen, and Mermaid’s Curse. She enjoys reading and writing novels with just
about any sort of paranormal or supernatural bent ... vampires ... ghosts... Daniele
currently lives in Virginia Beach, VA with her husband, daughter and two lovable puppies
(who are not really quite puppies anymore), Stitch and Gizmo.
***
www.DanieleLanzarotta.com
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